I am from the Tsimshian First Nation on my father's side. I am currently in Kitsumkalum, the Tsimshian reserve near Terrace BC, working on a podcast project on LGTBQ/Two Spirit themes with the Tsimshian youth from the 'Na Aksa Gyilak'yoo School.

I received funding from the 0.6% PD fund to support this work and I will report back to KPU on the experience and learnings after the project is completed this summer.

Here are a few photos from my recent trip up north to Kitsumkalum (on the Skeena River outside of Terrace) doing podcast work with the Tsimshian students of the 'Na Aksa Gyilak'yoo School. They spent their spring break working with professional mentors on creating a short film project - and with me - a podcast project, on LGTBQ/Two Spirit themes.

I'm attaching some photos showing Kitsumkalum: me by the Skeena River, this is my Tsimshian traditional territory. The name Tsimshian means 'People Inside the Skeena River.  I returned my Tsimshian father's ashes to the Skeena River in a traditional ceremony last summer. Two photos show learning materials on the walls of the school, including one hand-painted sign with the word łoomsk, which means 'respect' in the Tsimshian language of Sm'algyax; photo of me recording a long interview with the students and their mentors about the powerful short film they had just created for the first episode of the podcast.